Trend Naija

Prominent political figures from Plateau State have endorsed President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid for 2027.

The meeting

The endorsement was made by voice vote at a meeting in Jos organised by Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A), a pro-Tinubu group, according to a statement released on Friday, 13 November 2026. Those present included former governors, ministers, senators, members of the House of Representatives, commissioners and council chairmen, who also adopted other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the state.

What the leaders said

Former governor Simon Lalong, who chaired the meeting as deputy chairman of A4A's board of trustees, said those present believed the President was committed to Nigeria's development and that keeping him in office would speed up economic growth. Former governor Joshua Dariye credited the Tinubu administration with meaningful contributions to Plateau and the country.

Background

Plateau is a key battleground in the North Central. Peter Obi won the state in the 2023 presidential election. A Middle Belt youth group that backed Obi in 2023 also recently switched its support to Tinubu. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

The United States has revoked more than 6,000 visas in a crackdown on so-called birth tourism.

What was announced

In a statement on X on Thursday, 12 November 2026, the State Department said its Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force had cancelled the visas of foreign nationals found to have taken part in or facilitated the practice. It said the crackdown targets not only people who travelled to give birth but also those who helped arrange such trips, and described the practice as illicit. The department did not release a breakdown of the nationalities affected.

What is birth tourism

Birth tourism refers to travelling to the United States specifically to give birth, so that the child acquires US citizenship under the birthright citizenship provision of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution.

Why it matters to Nigerians

Giving birth in the US has been popular among some Nigerians who can afford it, and the US has previously warned that visitor visas may be refused to applicants suspected of travelling to give birth.

Borno State governor Babagana Zulum has pledged ₦50,000 to every soldier deployed to the frontline communities of Maiwa and Koshebe.

The announcement

Zulum made the pledge on Friday, 13 November 2026, during a visit to the headquarters of the Army's 24 Task Force Brigade in Dikwa Local Government Area, where he met the brigade commander. He also promised continuous logistics support for troops in the area, describing the package as a sign of the state's commitment to soldiers taking on dangerous assignments.

Background

The two communities have suffered badly in the Boko Haram insurgency. In November 2020, insurgents attacked rice farmers in Koshebe, in one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in the region. Atiku Abubakar this week cited data showing that the North-East accounted for most of the 638 insecurity-related deaths recorded in October.

Music star 2Baba has drawn attention online after publicly celebrating his estranged wife, Annie Idibia, on her birthday.

The post

On Friday, 13 November 2026, the singer, whose real name is Innocent Idibia, shared a photo of Annie on his Instagram story, set to his 2025 track 'Celebrate'. His brother and daughter Isabella also celebrated the actress. Fans quickly reacted, with responses ranging from warm to teasing as people debated what the gesture meant.

Background

2Baba and Annie Idibia, an actress, were one of Nigeria's most talked-about celebrity couples for years and have children together. Their separation was announced in early 2025 amid very public tensions, and 2Baba has since been linked with Edo lawmaker Natasha Osawaru. Despite the split, the birthday post suggests goodwill remains between them.

US Vice-President JD Vance is reportedly reconsidering whether to run for president in 2028.

What is reported

According to reports on Friday, 13 November 2026, citing people close to him, Vance has not made a final decision about entering the race after the Republican Party's poor performance in the midterm elections earlier this month. Allies and donors are said to be questioning whether the party can hold on to the White House. People close to him say he remains committed to the political movement that returned Donald Trump to power, but is increasingly asking whether he should be the one to lead it.

A bigger question

One ally reportedly said Vance has been wrestling with whether any Republican can win the presidency in the current political climate. Another noted that at 42, he could afford to wait for a better opportunity.

Background

Vance had been widely seen as the leading contender for the 2028 Republican nomination. In the 3 November midterms, the Democrats were projected to win control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and Trump has since replaced his chief of staff. Vance has not publicly commented on the reports.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has drawn attention online after attending the university graduation of his former wife, Olori Naomi Silekunola.

What happened

Olori Naomi graduated from Elizade University in Ondo State, and a video from the convocation ceremony, shared by gospel singer Dare Justified on Friday, 13 November 2026, quickly went viral. It shows the former couple together with their son, chatting easily, with Naomi at one point leaning in to speak to the monarch over the noise of the venue. Photos also show them posing together.

How people reacted

Many social media users praised the pair for maintaining a cordial relationship for the sake of their son, describing the moment as a good example of co-parenting.

Background

Olori Naomi and the Ooni have a son together and later separated. Earlier this week drew attention for her entrance at a celebrity naming ceremony in Lagos.

Sweden has returned 39 Benin Bronzes and other artefacts to Nigeria, 129 years after they were looted from the Benin Kingdom.

The handover

Representatives of Sweden's National Museums of World Culture formally handed over the objects at a ceremony in Lagos on Thursday, 12 November 2026. They will be received by Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments. The collection includes cultural objects known as Emwin Arre. Six of the 39 artefacts will remain in Sweden under a 10-year loan arrangement.

Why it matters

The objects were among thousands taken by British forces who attacked and burned Benin City in 1897 before bringing the kingdom under British rule. Michael Barrett, curator for Africa at Sweden's National Museums of World Culture, described the return as an important step in addressing colonial-era looting of cultural property.

Background

Nigeria has been campaigning for decades for the return of the Benin Bronzes, which are held in museums and private collections around the world. The Netherlands returned 119 objects in 2025, and Germany handed over 20 Benin Bronzes in 2022. Many more remain abroad.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed former Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to lead its election observation mission to Nigeria.

The appointment

The appointment was announced in a statement from Akufo-Addo's office on Thursday, 12 November 2026. He will oversee the deployment of ECOWAS observers for Nigeria's presidential and National Assembly elections, scheduled for 16 January 2027. The mission will monitor the electoral process and report on how the polls are conducted.

Who is Akufo-Addo

Akufo-Addo served two terms as Ghana's president, from 2017 to January 2025.

Background

International attention on Nigeria's election is growing. The European Union has raised concerns about violence and hate speech, and a senior US State Department official told Congress this week that the vote could spur violence. INEC says preparations are on track, with non-sensitive materials already being moved to the states.

The United States says it will keep a close watch on Nigeria's 2027 presidential election, with a senior official warning that it could trigger violence.

What was said

Frank Garcia, the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, made the remarks on Thursday, 12 November 2026, in prepared testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa during a hearing on violence in Nigeria. He said he was realistic about the challenges ahead and that the January presidential election could spur violence. He also pointed to an overstretched security system, limited reach of the courts in the Middle Belt and a lack of resources as obstacles to tackling insecurity.

Congress weighs in

Congressman Riley Moore used the hearing to call for close American attention to how the election unfolds.

Background

ECOWAS has appointed former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo to lead its observer mission for the polls.

Grammy-winning singer Tems has been named executive music producer of the soundtrack for the Hollywood film 'Children of Blood and Bone'.

The soundtrack

The announcement was made on Instagram on Thursday, 12 November 2026. The album brings together several of Africa's biggest stars, including Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Fireboy DML, BNXN and Kold AF. Tems described the project as a profound honour and said she was excited for fans to hear what she had put together. The soundtrack is due for release on 20 November, ahead of the film's cinema debut.

The film

'Children of Blood and Bone' is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and adapted from the bestselling fantasy novel by Nigerian-American author Tomi Adeyemi.

Background

Tems has become one of the most successful Nigerian artists internationally, winning Grammy Awards and earning an Oscar nomination for co-writing 'Lift Me Up' for 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'.

A large inflatable balloon promoting President Bola Tinubu's 2027 re-election campaign has been spotted floating loose in the Lagos lagoon.

The video

A short clip shared on X on Friday, 13 November 2026, shows the oversized balloon, bearing Tinubu's image, the All Progressives Congress (APC) colours and campaign branding, drifting in the water beside the Third Mainland Bridge. Comedian and content creator Carter Efe, who filmed it from his car, reacted with surprise, and his response quickly became the highlight of the clip for many viewers.

Background

Large inflatable balloons and outdoor displays have been part of the APC's early campaign push in Lagos and other cities ahead of the 2027 elections. It is not clear how the balloon ended up in the lagoon. The APC had not commented at the time of writing.

Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde, the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), says he is still open to working with Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi before the 2027 elections.

What he said

In a television interview aired on Friday, 13 November 2026, Makinde said discussions with both men were still active and that no option had been ruled out. He said the talks could lead to a range of political arrangements before the election, and that any decision would be guided by the goal of changing the country's direction. Asked whether he preferred Atiku or Obi as a partner, he said the choice should be based on evidence and public opinion rather than sentiment. He has also said he is willing to work with any Nigerian except President Bola Tinubu.

Background

Atiku is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Efforts to agree a single opposition candidate have repeatedly stalled, with each insisting on running. Earlier this week, Makinde gave four reasons for challenging Tinubu, whom he supported in 2023, and PRP candidate Donald Duke said he was willing to step down for a consensus candidate. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

Dr. Mo has expressed admiration for former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, now the NDC presidential candidate, describing his travel schedule as one that is very hard to keep up with.

"Just visualise what I'm saying"

According to Dr. Mo, travelling with Obi means moving from one city to another, sometimes across continents, with little time to settle before the next journey.

"We move from Lagos to Abuja, then take off to London. From there, we spend eight hours flying to Houston, hold a meeting and move to Phoenix, then California. We return to Texas, go to Dallas, fly back to the UK and eventually return to Nigeria," he said.

"Just imagine it. Just visualise what I'm saying."

"One in a million"

Dr. Mo described Obi as "one in a million", expressing admiration for the amount of travelling and the number of engagements he handles.

For anyone who has done long-distance travel, moving through several cities, attending meetings and catching yet another flight can be exhausting. Doing it repeatedly, while running a national campaign, is another level entirely.

Over to you

How does Peter Obi manage such a demanding schedule, and where does he get the energy to keep moving?

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has drawn attention after reportedly leading supporters in reciting Nigeria's former national anthem rather than the current one.

What happened

A video from the party's town hall meeting in Oregun, Lagos, on Thursday, 12 November 2026, which went viral afterwards, shows Obi and the NDC's Lagos governorship candidate, Funso Doherty, choosing not to recite the current anthem when attendees were asked to stand for it. Instead, they and the crowd recited the old anthem, 'Arise O Compatriots', together.

The anthem change

Nigeria replaced 'Arise O Compatriots', which had been in use since 1978, with its original post-independence anthem, 'Nigeria We Hail Thee', in May 2024. President Bola Tinubu signed the change into law after the bill passed quickly through the National Assembly. The speed of the change drew criticism at the time.

Response

Neither Obi's campaign nor the APC had commented on the video at the time of writing.

Wike criticises Obi

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike criticised Obi over the incident on Friday, 13 November, at a town hall meeting of the pro-Tinubu Rainbow Coalition in Ogu-Bolo, Rivers State. He accused the NDC candidate of lawlessness, saying a man who wants to be president should not refuse to stand for the national anthem while standing for one that is no longer in use, and argued that anyone who disregards national symbols cannot be trusted to lead the country. Obi's campaign had not responded to Wike's remarks at the time of writing.

Background

The same town hall meeting was disrupted earlier in the day by suspected thugs, before it went ahead. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has reportedly rejected a second contract offer from the club.

The talks

According to reports on Friday, 13 November 2026, United first offered Fernandes a new deal in the summer, which he turned down, and talks between his representatives and the club have continued since then without agreement. His current contract expires at the end of the season.

His record

The Portugal international had an outstanding 2025/26 season, helping United finish third and return to the Champions League after two years away. He set a new Premier League record of 21 assists in a season, breaking the mark previously shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne, and won both the FWA Footballer of the Year and PFA Player of the Year awards.

Background

The news adds to a difficult period at Old Trafford. The club sacked head coach Michael Carrick this week after one league win in 10 games left them in the relegation zone, and Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly agreed to take over.

Microsoft is working to restore its services after a global outage disrupted Outlook email, Teams and its Copilot AI assistant for users around the world.

What happened

The outage began on Thursday, 12 November 2026, and affected Microsoft 365 services in 74 countries and territories, according to reports on Friday. Many users were unable to load their inboxes or send and receive emails, while others had trouble with Teams calls and Copilot. Reports of Outlook problems on an outage-tracking website peaked at nearly 140,000 worldwide.

Microsoft's explanation

Microsoft initially blamed the problem on unusually high traffic across parts of its infrastructure, which caused connection errors. The company said it had paused some deployments while it worked on a fix.

Why it matters

Outlook and Teams are widely used by businesses and organisations around the world, including in Nigeria.

Davido has signed on as the face of PUBG Mobile's new campaign across Africa, taking his brand into the continent's fast-growing gaming market.

The deal

The singer announced the partnership on Instagram on Thursday, 12 November 2026, sharing a promotional video in which he tells fans he is joining the battle royale game and that they do not need an expensive phone to play. He also invited fans to unlock an exclusive in-game 'King Set' outfit inspired by him.

The game

PUBG Mobile Flash, which launched on Friday, 13 November, is a lighter edition of the popular shooting game with a smaller download size, designed to run on a wider range of phones while keeping the main maps and gameplay. The campaign is aimed at expanding the game's audience in Africa, where many players use budget smartphones.

Background

Davido is one of Africa's biggest music stars and has a long list of brand partnerships. He has been in Tanzania this week, where he shot a project with Tanzanian star Diamond Platnumz.

Nigerian content creators Carter Efe and Peller have missed out on an international award at the 2026 Streamer Awards.

The result

The two were nominated for Best International Streamer after the organisers released the shortlist in October. At the ceremony, reported on Friday, 13 November 2026, the prize went to Indian streamer Ashswag, who beat the Nigerian pair and other nominees from around the world.

Why it mattered

The nominations put the Nigerian duo among creators from around the world competing for the category.

Peller and Phyna react

In a post on X on Thursday night, Peller thanked his fans, saying their loyalty meant more to him than any trophy and that the nomination itself was a blessing. He complained, however, that the result of his category was announced on the red carpet before the main ceremony began, which he called unfair. Reality star Phyna went further in a livestream, accusing the organisers of using the Nigerian nominees to attract Nigerian viewers and engagement with no real intention of giving them the award.

Background

Peller rose to prominence as one of Nigeria's biggest TikTok live streamers, while Carter Efe, a skit maker and musician, has also built a large streaming following.

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate violence at political rallies, meetings and processions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The motion

On Thursday, 12 November 2026, the House adopted a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Minority Leader Frederick Agbedi and 16 other lawmakers. It directed its committees on Police Affairs and on National Security and Intelligence to examine the causes of the violence and recommend ways to prevent further attacks. A principal officer of the House will lead the inquiry, and the committees are to report within three weeks.

Incidents cited

Presenting the motion, Agbedi pointed to an attack during a political procession in Asaba, Delta State, on 7 November, which police said left one person dead and five injured; violence at an APC rally in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on 4 November; an attack on APC supporters travelling to a rally in Katsina State on 28 October, after which police reportedly arrested 14 suspects; and the disruption of political meetings in Enugu State in September.

Background

The motion came on the same day suspected thugs stormed a Nigeria Democratic Congress town hall in Lagos. The APC presidential campaign council condemned that attack and other recent attacks on supporters across party lines, and urged security agencies to arrest those responsible. The Inspector-General of Police and the European Union have also raised concerns about rising political violence. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

Protesters confronted the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, in London on Thursday, 12 November 2026.

What happened

Amupitan was in London to speak at a panel on Nigeria's preparations for the 2027 elections, hosted by Chatham House and the Kimpact Development Initiative. Nigerian diaspora activists who had mobilised on social media gathered outside the venue and reportedly surrounded his vehicle, accusing the commission of favouring President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and demanding his resignation. They cited duplicate entries and AI-generated images in the preliminary voters' register and alleged fake polling units.

Amupitan's response

At the panel, Amupitan pledged to turn down any political or diplomatic appointment after leaving INEC, saying he wanted to demonstrate his impartiality, and said the commission was introducing technical safeguards. INEC has said it removed 1.6 million invalid records from the register, including entries with manipulated images, and flagged officials in 10 states. Amupitan also again denied operating an X account that had allegedly posted support for the APC during the 2023 elections, saying he had never had an X account and that it was never linked to his email. INEC said in April that the claims were fabricated and that fake accounts had been created in his name.

Background

At the same event, Amupitan said INEC would obey the final court ruling on Atiku Abubakar's candidacy. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will be bound by the final court decision on whether Atiku Abubakar can contest the 2027 presidential election.

What INEC said about Atiku

Speaking in London on Thursday, 12 November 2026, where he was briefing an audience at Chatham House on election preparations, INEC chairman Professor Joash Amupitan said the commission would follow whatever final ruling the courts give in the dispute over Atiku's nomination. A Federal High Court in Abuja on 5 November nullified the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and reportedly voided the primary that produced Atiku as its candidate. The ADC has appealed, and its lawyer has argued that the judgment contained no express order invalidating Atiku's candidacy.

Materials on the move

Separately, INEC National Commissioner Professor Rhoda Gumus said on Thursday that the commission had begun moving non-sensitive election materials to some geopolitical zones. Speaking while receiving a delegation from Kenya's electoral commission, she said INEC had completed nine of the 14 activities on its election timetable, finished producing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and sent the first two batches to most states. She urged registered voters to collect their cards and said staff training was under way.

Background

The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027. Amupitan recently completed a tour of the six geopolitical zones to assess readiness. Separately, a Federal High Court in Kaduna on Thursday nullified an ADC primary in the state, adding to the party's legal troubles.

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has promised to deliver at least 10,000 megawatts of electricity within four years if he wins the 2027 election.

What he said

Speaking at the party's town hall meeting in Oregun, Lagos, on Thursday, 12 November 2026, which went ahead despite an attack on the venue by suspected thugs that morning, Obi said unreliable electricity was one of the biggest obstacles to economic growth and industrialisation. He said his government would declare an immediate state of emergency on security, education and electricity, and would generate, transmit and distribute at least 10,000MW. He said Nigeria currently generates and distributes roughly 4,000MW, and compared the country's power supply unfavourably with South Africa's.

Background

Power supply has long been one of Nigeria's most persistent problems. President Bola Tinubu's government has begun a ₦30bn programme to distribute free prepaid meters. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to take personal responsibility for worsening insecurity in Nigeria.

The figures

In a statement issued on Thursday, 12 November 2026, by Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication for his campaign, Atiku cited a security tracker run by the Centre for Democracy and Development, which recorded 638 people killed in insecurity incidents in October, up from 396 in September. The North-East accounted for 409 of the deaths. He also pointed to United Nations figures showing that nearly 64,000 people have fled violence in northern Nigeria and crossed into Niger.

His demand

The statement said the President should accept responsibility for the security situation rather than blame others.

Background

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has made insecurity and the economy key themes of his campaign. This week the DSS intercepted a large weapons consignment in Sokoto State. The Presidency had not responded to the statement at the time of writing. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

Social media personality and relationship coach Blessing CEO has admitted that she did not have breast cancer, months after telling the public she was battling the disease.

What she said

In an interview with activist VeryDarkMan (VDM), reported on Thursday, 12 November 2026, she said a medical check-up had found a lump in her breast, but that it was not cancerous. She admitted that she used the discovery to tell people it was cancer because she wanted financial support. She said she first gave the impression that she was thinking of selling her car and house, before fans encouraged her to share her account details so they could donate.

How the donations ended

She said money started coming in from members of the public until VeryDarkMan questioned the fundraising and demanded proof of her diagnosis, after which the donations stopped.

VeryDarkMan criticised

VeryDarkMan later asked Nigerians to forgive her, drawing criticism from some social media users. Commentator Japhman, in a video on 12 November, accused him of a double standard, saying the activist's 'Ratel' movement is built on demanding accountability from others.

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has confirmed that four of its students have died after an off-campus party in Nsukka, Enugu State.

What happened

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, 12 November 2026, Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Ortuanya said 10 students were involved in the incident at the party on Wednesday, 11 November, which had been organised to celebrate a friend finishing his final-year examinations. He said the four who died allegedly consumed substances believed to be a mixture of alcohol and drugs. The other six are receiving treatment in different hospitals. Earlier reports had put the death toll as high as seven.

University responds

The Vice-Chancellor described the deaths as one too many and declared three days of mourning in honour of the students. He also corrected reports that all the students were from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, saying they came from different departments. The exact substances involved have not been officially identified, and it is not clear whether the police have opened an investigation.

Police investigate

The Enugu State Police Command said on Thursday evening that it had opened an investigation into the deaths. It said the four victims, two men and two women, fell ill after allegedly drinking alcoholic beverages at a gathering at a hostel in Nsukka and were confirmed dead on arrival at hospital. Police said the drinks had been recovered from the scene and the bodies taken to a mortuary for autopsy.

Background

Drug and alcohol misuse among young people has become a growing public health concern in Nigeria.

Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde has explained why he is running against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, three years after supporting him.

His reasons

In a newsletter published on Thursday, 12 November 2026, Makinde, the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), said his decision was not about personal rivalry or a desire to live in Aso Rock. He said he backed Tinubu in 2023 because he believed the President's experience and relationships could unite the country. He listed four concerns: that improved economic figures have not translated into better lives for ordinary Nigerians; that the government keeps blaming problems it inherited; that political alliances appear to serve political rather than national interests, while opposition parties have been weakened; and that fuel subsidy removal and currency reforms came without enough protection for citizens.

What he would have done

Makinde said he would have used the transition period to coordinate with governors through the National Economic Council and prepare support measures before removing the subsidy. He pointed to Oyo's response, saying his government deployed extra buses, froze fares and introduced half-price travel for students and the elderly within 11 days, and later delivered food relief to 200,000 households. He also noted that Tinubu had opposed an abrupt subsidy removal under President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012.

Background

The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027. The President has defended his reforms, saying ending the subsidy freed money for infrastructure and other investments. His campaign had not responded to the newsletter at the time of writing.

A town hall meeting of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Lagos was disrupted on Thursday morning, 12 November 2026, when suspected thugs stormed the venue.

What happened

The attackers, armed with cutlasses, cudgels and stones, arrived at an event centre in Oregun, Ikeja, where supporters of NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso had gathered. The atmosphere had been calm, with supporters singing and dancing before the meeting began. According to a journalist at the scene, the group was heard saying the NDC supporters were few and could be overpowered, and some members were heard asking for clearance to enter with guns.

Supporters fight back

Many people inside the hall fled when the attackers forced their way in, while motorists on Kudirat Abiola Way turned back to avoid the area. NDC supporters then regrouped, reportedly chased the attackers out of the hall and caught one of them in the car park. It is not clear how many people were injured, who sent the attackers, or whether anyone has been arrested. The police had not publicly commented at the time of writing.

Meeting goes ahead

Despite the attack, the town hall went ahead later in the day, with Obi addressing supporters and pledging to deliver at least 10,000 megawatts of electricity within four years if elected.

APC condemns attack

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council condemned the attack in a statement by its spokesperson Dele Alake, as well as other recent attacks on political gatherings in Edo, Cross River and Gombe, and called on security agencies to arrest and prosecute those responsible. The House of Representatives also ordered an investigation into attacks on political rallies across the country.

Tinubu speaks

On Friday, 13 November, President Bola Tinubu called on parties and their supporters to shun violence and run issue-based campaigns. He renewed his directive to security agencies to act firmly against anyone disrupting public order, said every party and candidate must be free to campaign anywhere without harassment, and warned that his government would not overlook irresponsible conduct by politicians or their supporters.

Background

Obi won Lagos in the 2023 presidential election as the Labour Party candidate, with more than 580,000 votes, in a state seen as a stronghold of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Campaign-related violence has been reported against several parties in recent weeks, and on Wednesday the Inspector-General of Police warned officers not to aid thuggery, while the European Union raised concerns about violence ahead of the 16 January 2027 election.

Nollywood actor IK Ogbonna has publicly criticised Edo State governor Monday Okpebholo over the condition of roads in the state.

What he said

In posts on his Instagram Stories on Thursday, 12 November 2026, the actor said he had just travelled by road through Edo and was shocked by what he saw. He described the roads as dangerously bad and a real safety risk for travellers, and questioned how a state with such a proud cultural and historical identity could still have crumbling roads. He tagged the governor and said the people of Edo deserve better.

Background

On the same day, comedian Sabinus criticised the Rivers State government over the state of roads in Rivers. Okpebholo, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), became Edo governor in November 2024. His government had not publicly responded to the actor's comments at the time of writing.

Manchester United have sacked head coach Michael Carrick following a poor start to the Premier League season.

Why he was sacked

United have won only one of their first 10 league matches, against Ipswich Town in August, leaving them in the relegation zone. Their other wins this season came in the Champions League. According to reports on Thursday, 12 November 2026, club executives met co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco to finalise the decision. Carrick and his backroom staff are reportedly set to receive about £5 million in compensation.

Pochettino to take charge

Reports say the club lined up a replacement before ending Carrick's tenure, approaching US Soccer about releasing Mauricio Pochettino from his contract as head coach of the United States men's team. The former Tottenham and Chelsea manager is said to have agreed to take charge at Old Trafford. Releasing him from his US contract is reported to cost about £7 million.

Background

Carrick, a former United midfielder, first stepped in after the dismissal of Ruben Amorim last season and did well enough to earn a permanent two-year contract in May, having guided the club into the Champions League. His first full season in charge has fallen well short of that early promise.

Pochettino confirmed

On Friday, 13 November, United confirmed Pochettino as head coach on a deal until the summer of 2029. The club said he would start on 18 November after it reached an agreement with US Soccer to release him and his staff once their duties with the US national team are complete. His first match in charge will be against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, 22 November. Carrick has written an open letter thanking the club's fans.

Singer Speed Darlington has made a public apology to Burna Boy, appealing to the Grammy-winning star to withdraw the court charges filed against him.

What he said

In a video posted on Instagram on Thursday, 12 November 2026, Speed Darlington, whose real name is Darlington Okoye, admitted that his words may have caused Burna Boy pain and embarrassment. He said he had wrongly assumed that other people shared his own temperament and tolerance, and pledged to stop all comments about the singer, direct or indirect, if the charges are withdrawn. He also promised to stop mentioning Burna Boy's name altogether once the matter is settled.

How the feud began

The dispute escalated in October 2024, when Speed Darlington posted videos questioning Burna Boy's Grammy win for his album 'Twice as Tall' and making disparaging remarks about him. The matter later became a legal case, with Speed Darlington facing charges filed after a complaint from Burna Boy's camp.

How people reacted

The apology drew a wave of reactions online, with many users surprised by Speed Darlington's change of tone. Burna Boy had not publicly responded at the time of writing.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu was reportedly met with chants of Peter Obi's name as he campaigned for President Bola Tinubu at a festival in Abia State.

What happened

Kalu, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker who represents Bende Federal Constituency, was addressing the Item Okpi Festival, an annual cultural celebration in Bende Local Government Area, on Saturday. According to reports on Thursday, 12 November 2026, the audience responded with loud and sustained chants of Obi's name rather than applause. When a woman on stage began a pro-Obi song, Kalu reportedly asked her to switch to a pro-Tinubu song, but the chanting continued. The Deputy Speaker was said to have remarked in Igbo that the crowd did not seem to want a university the President plans to build for them, and suggested some of those chanting were not from Item.

Background

Abia is governed by Alex Otti of the Labour Party, a former ally of Obi who has said he supports Tinubu as the sitting president while acknowledging that his party has its own candidate. Obi, now the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), remains popular in the South-East, where the APC is working hard to win support ahead of the 16 January 2027 election. Kalu has not publicly commented on the video.

The deputy national publicity secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Abdulmumin Abdulsalami, has resigned from the party.

His reasons

In a resignation letter addressed to NDC national chairman Senator Moses Cleopas and reported on Thursday, 12 November 2026, Abdulsalami said he was a foundation member who played a central role in the party's early growth, but that his efforts had clashed with the interests of a few powerful officials. He said the decision was about his peace of mind, citing what he described as repeated injustices against him. He declined to name the officials he blamed.

What next

Abdulsalami said he was stepping away from partisan politics entirely. A party source quoted in reports claimed he had not been paid a salary or given a working budget since the party was formed, and that the NDC's national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, had persuaded him to stay on several occasions since October.

Background

Abdulsalami was previously the NDC's interim chairman in Kogi State. The NDC is the party of presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso. His exit comes a day after Obi's former spokesman Yunusa Tanko took a senior role in the SDP's presidential campaign. The party had not publicly responded to his resignation at the time of writing.

The European Union has expressed concern about rising election-related violence, hate speech and political intimidation in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.

What the EU said

Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Civil Society and Human Rights Defenders Forum in Abuja, reported on Thursday, 12 November 2026, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, warned that such incidents erode democratic gains and discourage citizens from taking full part in elections. He said free civic and political space allows civil society groups and citizens to monitor how elections are run, track campaign promises and hold leaders to account, and helps prevent authorities from manipulating the rules.

Support for institutions

Mignot said open public debate, independent media, peaceful assembly and an active civil society are vital to credible elections. He said the EU would continue to support Nigerian institutions, including the National Human Rights Commission, to help create a free and fair electoral environment, while stressing that it would not interfere in domestic politics.

Background

The warning follows a string of violent incidents linked to campaigns in several states. Peter Obi's convoy was attacked in Calabar, NDC supporters' vehicles were destroyed at a rally in Delta, and APC supporters were attacked ahead of a rally in Katsina. The Inspector-General of Police has also warned officers against being used by politicians. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has warned police officers against allowing politicians to use them to undermine the 2027 elections.

What he said

Speaking on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, at a monthly meeting with senior officers in Abuja, Disu said the police would remain neutral and give equal protection to all candidates, parties, supporters and voters. He said he would not tolerate any officer using police authority to advance the interests of a party, candidate or sponsor, and that officers found colluding with politicians, aiding thuggery or interfering with voters' rights would be disciplined. He told officers that the force is not a tool for any politician and urged them not to allow themselves to be used.

Officers to stay at posts

The IGP directed commissioners of police and other senior officers to remain in their commands throughout the electoral process.

Background

The warning comes amid concern over political violence ahead of the elections and a recent controversy over a video showing police officers escorting businessman Blord, which the police said was unlawful. On the same day, the police said they had raided so-called phone farms used to spread election misinformation. The European Union has also raised concerns about violence and hate speech before the polls.

Households in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states are paying much more for cooking gas after a sharp rise in prices over the past month.

The new prices

According to reports on Thursday, 12 November 2026, retail prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at several outlets rose from around ₦1,200 to ₦1,800 per kilogramme. In parts of Ogun State, including Magboro, Mowe and Ibafo, some residents said they were paying as much as ₦1,900 per kg. In Oyo State, prices reportedly range from about ₦1,450 per kg at direct outlets to between ₦1,500 and ₦1,650 at neighbourhood retailers.

Why prices rose

The increase follows a reported 31.8 per cent rise in depot prices, from ₦1,100 to ₦1,450 per kg, which has pushed up costs along the supply chain.

Impact on households

Some households say they are considering returning to charcoal because they can no longer afford gas.

Background

The latest increase comes even as petrol prices have eased slightly, with Dangote Refinery reportedly cutting its petrol price this week.

A court in Abuja has ordered that investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu be held in prison pending a hearing on his bail application.

The charges

Ojukwu, who works for the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, was arraigned on a 12-count charge of allegedly breaching Nigeria's Cybercrimes Act, and the court ordered his remand on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. The charges relate to reports he published about Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, who was senior special assistant on the Sustainable Development Goals under former President Muhammadu Buhari and now holds the same role under President Bola Tinubu. The charges have not been tested at trial.

Press freedom concerns

The decision drew widespread criticism from media freedom advocates, who have long argued that the cybercrimes law is used to silence journalists. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 29 journalists have been prosecuted under the law since it was enacted in 2015. Nigeria is ranked 112th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders.

Background

Ojukwu was previously detained by police for several days in 2024 over a report on the same official, a case that also drew national and international criticism.

Images of recharge cards bearing the logo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), reportedly handed out at President Bola Tinubu's campaign rally in Rivers State, have sparked debate on social media.

What happened

A man who came across pictures of the ₦200 airtime cards questioned online what anyone could achieve with such a small amount, and his comment, shared on Thursday, 12 November 2026, quickly drew reactions. The cards were said to have circulated among people who attended the rally.

How people reacted

Some users mocked the giveaway and said the money would be better spent on fixing the country, while others joked about how the airtime might be used. Some warned that small gifts like this could still influence some voters.

Background

Campaign giveaways have become a talking point ahead of the 2027 elections. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) recently accused the APC of handing out cash and gifts at campaign events and called on the anti-graft agency and INEC to investigate. The APC had not publicly responded to the recharge card images at the time of writing. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

Yunusa Tanko, a former spokesman for Peter Obi and ex-national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, has joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) campaign for the 2027 presidential election.

The new role

At the inauguration of the SDP Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, Tanko was named its national coordinator. In his acceptance speech he thanked the party's leadership and pledged full commitment to its presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo. He said he had reached out to both Obi and Senator Seriake Dickson, national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), before taking up the post, and described his relationship with Adebayo as dating back to the 2023 election cycle.

How he left Obi's camp

Tanko was removed as national coordinator of the Obidient Movement in October 2026 and briefly served as Obi's political adviser for Northern Nigeria. He resigned from that role on 30 October, saying he was returning to the National Consultative Front, which he co-chairs with Professor Pat Utomi. He took on that position in October after the death of former House of Representatives Speaker Ghali Na'Abba, who had co-chaired the group.

Background

Obi, the 2023 Labour Party candidate, is now the NDC presidential candidate with Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate. Adebayo was also the SDP's presidential candidate in 2023. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027. Obi's campaign had not publicly reacted to Tanko's new role at the time of writing.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Kaduna State government of sealing Arewa House to prevent its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, from meeting Northern stakeholders there.

What the ADC said

In a statement on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, issued by Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication for the ADC presidential campaign council, the party said Atiku's team had chosen Arewa House in Kaduna as the venue for a consultation on Thursday, 13 November, but that the state government sealed the building beforehand. Atiku himself said his campaign had proposed the venue and that the government sealed it the same day.

The party's complaint

The ADC described Arewa House as part of the shared heritage of Northern Nigeria and said using it to block a political gathering was an insult to the region. It held President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) responsible, saying a ruling party must not use government power to block opposition activities. There was no immediate public response from the Kaduna State government, which is led by the APC, to the allegation.

Background

Arewa House, the former residence of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the late Premier of the Northern Region, is a historic institution in Kaduna. Atiku is contesting the 2027 presidential election despite a court ruling that voided his nomination, which the ADC has appealed.